What to look for in a flight school

Do you know what to look for in a flight school?

If you’re thinking about learning to fly, you’re probably also wondering what to look for in a flight school. After all, there are so many schools out there, you’ll want to invest your time and finances in the best way possible. The good news is, we have the definitive list of what to look for in a flight school so you can make the very best choice for you!

An experienced team

You want to know that the people teaching you to fly are experienced themselves! Therefore, take some time to learn about the instructors available to you and the history of the flight school. How long has it been established? What’s the team’s collective experience? Who will you be learning from? The more experienced the flight school, the better your training should be.

A superior fleet of aircraft

The size and quality of aircraft fleets at flight schools can vary greatly. Some offer extensive fleets of brand-new models, while others may only have one or two training planes which may have seen better days. Every flight school should be happy to speak openly about their fleet, and you should even be able to experience an aircraft or two on a discovery flight. If a flight school isn’t offering information about its fleet freely, maybe it’s one to avoid.

Unique training options

Most flight schools offer a range of programmes designed to earn your various licenses – from a private pilot’s license to your full commercial pilot’s license. The best flight schools, however, are the ones which offer you a tailor-made programme to achieve your goals. If you want to become a flight instructor but you’ve never even flown a plane before, your flight school should identify the various training you’ll need and build a bespoke programme for you, ensuring you have the qualifications you need to meet your aims.

FAA Part 141 approval

If a flight school has Part 141 approval, it means that it is subject to regulation by the FAA. It must have detailed pre-planned training programs and must ensure a minimum pass rate, proving consistency in its training. Therefore, by seeking out a Part 141-approved flight school, you’re more likely to guarantee a higher quality curriculum and instruction.

It may also have self-examination authority, meaning you can take your exams at the flight school itself without having to find alternative providers.

Financial assurance

Learning to fly doesn’t come cheap. Therefore, you want to guarantee your money is safe with your training provider, putting finance firm on the list of what to look for in a flight school. Ask whether your money is guaranteed, check the flight school is well established, and find out what will happen if you decide to withdraw from your training. Will you be refunded? Or will you lose your whole investment?

How about CTI Professional Flight Training?

Now you know what to look for in a flight school, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can find all of the above with us at CTI. We’ve been teaching pilots to fly for over 25 years at our Part 141 flight school, offering customized turn-key programmes designed with every individual in mind. With college programmes available, plus links with commercial airlines, our pilots have all they need for their careers in aviation.